US6170441B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Engine system employing an unsymmetrical cycle
Assignee: Supercritical Combustion Corp
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Filing: 1998-06-26
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Granted: 2001-01-09
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Expires: 2018-06-26
Abstract
Abstract Highly efficient engine. The system includes an internal combustion engine having at least one piston in a cylinder, the cylinder including a cylinder head. The engine operates on an unsymmetrical expansion and compression cycle wherein the expansion portion of the cycle is greater than the compression portion of the cycle. The piston and cylinder head are lined with an insulating material having a selected thermal diffusivity. Apparatus is provided for injecting a supercritical mixture of fuel and water into the cylinder of the engine. The combination of these aspects results in a highly efficient engine.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles W. Haldeman
- 👤 Brian S. Ahern
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:34
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M25/00; F02M25/022; F02M25/0228; F02B; F02B41/00; F02B41/02; F02B41/04; F02B47/00; F02B47/02; F02F; F02F3/00; F02F3/10; F02F3/12; F02F3/14; F02M25/032; F02M25/038; F02B2275/00; F02B2275/32; F02B3/00; F02B3/06; F02F2200/00; F02F2200/04; F05; F05C; F05C2201/00; F05C2201/02; F05C2201/021; F05C2201/04; F05C2201/0433; F05C2201/0448; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
Engine system comprising: an internal combustion engine having at least one piston in a cylinder, the cylinder including a cylinder head; apparatus cooperating with the piston to create an unsymmetrical expansion and compression cycle wherein the expansion portion of the cycle is greater than the compression portion of the cycle; and insulating material having a selected thermal diffusivity on a surface of the piston and cylinder head, said insulating material having a thickness in the range of 0.06 to 0.1 inches and a thermal diffusivity in the range of at least approximately 0.1 to approximately 0.8ft 2 /hr.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
Engine system comprising: an internal combustion engine having at least one piston in a cylinder, the cylinder including a cylinder head; apparatus cooperating with the piston to create an unsymmetrical expansion and compression cycle wherein the expansion portion of the cycle is greater than the compression portion of the cycle; and insulating material having a selected thermal diffusivity on a surface of the piston and cylinder head, said insulating material having a thickness in the range of 0.06 to 0.1 inches and a thermal diffusivity in the range of at least approximately 0.1 to approximately 0.8ft 2 /hr.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 further including apparatus for injecting a supercritical mixture of fuel and water into the cylinder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the injection apparatus injects the supercritical mixture of fuel and water near the top of the compression stroke.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the injection apparatus injects the mixture near top dead center.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 2 further including heat exchanger means for using engine waste heat to heat the supercritical mixture of fuel and water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 5 further including pump means for pressurizing the water and fuel mixture to approximately 4000 psi before introduction into the heat exchanger.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 4 wherein the heat exchanger is thermally coupled to exhaust from the engine.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 5 further including electrical preheating for the water/fuel mixture.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 8 further including feedback control apparatus for controlling the electrical preheating.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the supercritical mixture is at approximately 4000 psi and 400° C.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the expansion portion of the cycle is greater than the compression portion of the cycle by a factor in the range of 1.3:1 to 2.5:1.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the apparatus for creating the unsymmetrical cycle comprises an increased stroke length.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the apparatus for creating an unsymmetrical cycle comprises a decreased enclosed volume at the top of the compression stroke.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
82 words
Engine system comprising: an internal combustion engine having at least one piston in a cylinder, the cylinder including a cylinder head; insulating material having a selected thermal diffusivity on a surface of the piston and cylinder head, said insulating material having a thickness in the range of 0.06 to 0.1 inches and a thermal diffusivity in the range of at least approximately 0.1 to approximately 0.8ft 2 /hr; and apparatus for injecting a supercritical mixture of fuel and water into the cylinder.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
82 words
Engine system comprising: an internal combustion engine having at least one piston in a cylinder, the cylinder including a cylinder head; insulating material having a selected thermal diffusivity on a surface of the piston and cylinder head, said insulating material having a thickness in the range of 0.06 to 0.1 inches and a thermal diffusivity in the range of at least approximately 0.1 to approximately 0.8ft 2 /hr; and apparatus for injecting a supercritical mixture of fuel and water into the cylinder.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
111 words
Engine system comprising: an internal combustion engine having at least one piston in a cylinder, the cylinder including a cylinder head; apparatus cooperating with the piston to create an unsymmetrical expansion and compression cycle wherein the expansion portion of the cycle is greater than the compression portion of the cycle; insulating material having a selected thermal diffusivity on a surface of the piston and cylinder head, said insulating material having a thickness in the range of 0.06 to 0.1 inches and a thermal diffusivity in the range of at least approximately 0.1 to approximately 0.8ft 2 /hr; and apparatus for injecting a supercritical mixture of fuel and water into the cylinder.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
111 words
Engine system comprising: an internal combustion engine having at least one piston in a cylinder, the cylinder including a cylinder head; apparatus cooperating with the piston to create an unsymmetrical expansion and compression cycle wherein the expansion portion of the cycle is greater than the compression portion of the cycle; insulating material having a selected thermal diffusivity on a surface of the piston and cylinder head, said insulating material having a thickness in the range of 0.06 to 0.1 inches and a thermal diffusivity in the range of at least approximately 0.1 to approximately 0.8ft 2 /hr; and apparatus for injecting a supercritical mixture of fuel and water into the cylinder.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-01-09 | 2004-07-10 | 2005-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-09 | 2008-07-10 | 2009-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-09 | 2012-07-10 | 2013-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |